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Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve

4.7
·1k reviews·, United Kingdom

A serene natural escape with peaceful woodland trails, abundant wildlife, and a picturesque canal side.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring mornings

Buttercups bloom, wildlife is active

CrowdLow
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View down the canal

Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve

Best Time

Spring mornings

Buttercups bloom, wildlife is active

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A serene natural escape with peaceful woodland trails, abundant wildlife, and a picturesque canal side.

4.7
(1k reviews)

"Great place for a wander, so peaceful and quiet with many well-maintained paths."

Vertical photo
TIP

👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear

Paths can be muddy, especially in woodland areas.

🚗 Arrive Early for Parking

The car park has limited spaces.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Woodland Trails

Woodland Trails

Explore peaceful, well-maintained paths winding through lush woodlands, perfect for a serene escape.

Reddit
Bird & Squirrel Spotting

Bird & Squirrel Spotting

A fantastic area for wildlife enthusiasts, with bird feeders and friendly squirrels eager for visitors.

Reddit
Canal Side Walks

Canal Side Walks

Enjoy a stroll along the adjacent canal, offering a different perspective and easy access to the reserve.

InstagramReddit
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Planning Your Visit

Parking Pointers

Parking at Cromwell Bottom can be limited, especially during peak times. Arrive early or consider alternative transport if possible. Some visitors note it can be a bit tricky for wheelchair users with certain gates, though generally manageable with outdoor electric wheelchairs. Reddit

Trail Conditions

While many paths are well-maintained, expect some areas to be a bit soggy, particularly after rain. Sturdy footwear is recommended for exploring the woodland trails and canal side. Reddit

Best Times

When
Spring mornings
Why
Buttercups bloom, wildlife is active
Crowd
Low
When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Crowd
Low
When
First Thursday of the month
Why
Join the 'Stepping out into Nature' group
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

We’re all set up at Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve for our Climate Action Roadshow. It’s going to be a great day here with stalls, walks, birds of prey, raffles and more. We’d love to chat to you about natural flood management and the methods we use to slow the flow. #calderdale #brighouse #slowtheflow #nfm #daysout #explore #schoolhols #daytrip #travel #nature
slowtheflowcalderdale
15 likes • 572 views

👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear

Paths can be muddy, especially in woodland areas. Reddit

🚗 Arrive Early for Parking

The car park has limited spaces. Reddit

Cromwell bottom nature reserve Saturday 10-4
birstallwoodturningclub
4 likes • 87 views
Yesterday’s walk was so peaceful 🌿✨ We explored Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve – what a beautiful place, surrounded by wildlife and nature’s calm. Feeling refreshed and grateful for these hidden gems right on our doorstep. 🦆🪵🍃 #healthyliving #wildatheart #wildkids
wholesomely_wild
3 likes • 98 views

🐶 Keep Dogs on Leads

Respect wildlife and other visitors. Reddit

📸 Photographers' Paradise

Great spot for nature photography with diverse subjects. InstagramReddit

We had a brilliant time at our AGM yesterday! Huge thanks to Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve for hosting us (and for their incredible work) and to guest speaker PC Caroline Newsome, Kirklees Wildlife Crime Officer. We'll need to have her back ASAP! Watch to the end for AGM pics after badger family footage from our lovely member Lee Roberts. 🦡🦡🦡
calderdalebadgers
26 likes • 208 views

Tips

from all over the internet

👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear

Paths can be muddy, especially in woodland areas. Reddit

🚗 Arrive Early for Parking

The car park has limited spaces. Reddit

🐶 Keep Dogs on Leads

Respect wildlife and other visitors. Reddit

📸 Photographers' Paradise

Great spot for nature photography with diverse subjects. InstagramReddit

🐿️ Friendly Wildlife

Squirrels are very approachable; be quiet and they might come close! Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.7
(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve for its peaceful atmosphere, well-maintained woodland trails, and abundant wildlife, particularly the friendly squirrels and birdlife. It's a great spot for walks, photography, and enjoying nature. Some note that parking can be limited and certain paths may be muddy after rain.

"Great place for a wander parking can be a issue as not many spaces in the car park. But once you are in and there it's so peaceful and quiet runners and walkers bikers all about on the canal side so you can get lost on the woodland side of the many well maintained paths. Little soggy in places but that's to be expected"

Mark Dickens

"Great space to walk around in. It’s got various trails that you can do that are in nice wooded areas. The bird spotting area is fantastic with lots of bird feeders and birds around. A great spot for photographers we saw a few there taking pictures. The dog loved it. Right near the canal as well so can always walk down the canal if you want as well."

Leon Das

"Excellent area and well maintained by the volunteers. Hopefully the dog walkers soon get the message and keep their dogs on their leads."

Lizzie Woods

What People Like

Peaceful and quiet atmosphere
Friendly wildlife
Well-maintained trails

What People Dislike

Limited parking
Muddy paths

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve is accessible by car, with a car park available. It's also about a half-hour walk from Brighouse town centre. Instagram For those using public transport, the Access Bus has limited availability from Rastrick and Brighouse. Instagram

Yes, there is a car park, but it has limited spaces and can fill up quickly, especially during busy periods. InstagramReddit

Yes, the canal side offers a pleasant route for cyclists. Reddit

The postcode for the handy car park is HD6 2RG. Instagram

The What3Words location is ///crisp.hooked.bridge. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve is a public space, and there is no entrance fee to visit. Reddit

As a nature reserve, it is generally accessible during daylight hours. Specific event times may vary. Instagram+1

No, booking is not required for general visits to the nature reserve. Reddit

Yes, events like the 'Stepping out into Nature' monthly get-together occur on the first Thursday of the month. Instagram Other community events and roadshows are also hosted here. TikTokInstagram

It is generally manageable for outdoor electric wheelchairs, though some gates might be a bit awkward to navigate. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The reserve offers a variety of well-maintained paths, including woodland trails and a canal side route. Reddit

Absolutely! There's a fantastic bird spotting area with numerous feeders and a variety of birds. Reddit

Dogs are welcome, but visitors are strongly advised to keep them on leads to respect the wildlife and other visitors. Reddit

You can expect to see various birds, friendly squirrels, and potentially other small mammals. InstagramReddit

Yes, it's a great spot for nature photographers, with diverse scenery and approachable wildlife. InstagramReddit

📸 📸 Photography

The woodland trails, the bird spotting area, and the canal side all offer excellent photographic opportunities. InstagramReddit

Many visitors enjoy photographing the approachable squirrels and the variety of birds at the feeders. InstagramReddit

The canal side provides scenic views, and the open meadows, especially in spring with buttercups, are picturesque. Instagram

Early mornings and late afternoons often provide the best light for photography, with fewer crowds. Instagram

Some photographers enjoy capturing the 'Google Earth vs. Reality' shots, showcasing the natural beauty. Instagram

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve is a wonderful spot for families. Kids will love the chance to see friendly squirrels up close and observe the various birds at the feeders. InstagramReddit Activities like pond dipping can be a fun way to engage younger children with the local ecosystem. Instagram The woodland trails offer a sense of adventure, and the canal side provides a safe and scenic area for a family stroll. Remember to bring sturdy shoes as some paths can be muddy. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Walkers and Runners

For walkers and runners, Cromwell Bottom offers a refreshing escape. The canal side path is particularly popular for its flat, easy terrain, perfect for a steady pace or a brisk run. Reddit The woodland trails provide more varied terrain and a more immersive natural experience. Reddit The reserve is a great place to get your steps in while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. Instagram

📸 Photographers

Photographers will find Cromwell Bottom a rewarding location. The wildlife, especially the approachable squirrels and diverse birdlife, offers fantastic subjects. InstagramReddit The woodland scenery, meadows (especially in spring with buttercups Instagram), and the canal provide varied backdrops. Instagram Early mornings and late afternoons often offer the best light for capturing the reserve's beauty. Instagram

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Exploring the Nature Reserve

Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve is a haven for wildlife and a peaceful retreat for visitors. The reserve boasts a network of well-maintained paths that wind through diverse habitats, including lush woodlands and open meadows. InstagramReddit The canal side offers a different, equally charming walking experience, perfect for a leisurely stroll or a bike ride. InstagramReddit Many visitors find the reserve incredibly peaceful and quiet, making it an ideal spot to reconnect with nature. Reddit

Wildlife enthusiasts will be delighted by the dedicated bird spotting area, complete with numerous feeders that attract a variety of avian species. Reddit The squirrels here are also known for being remarkably friendly and approachable, often coming right up to visitors if they remain quiet. InstagramReddit This makes it a fantastic location for both casual observation and dedicated wildlife photography. InstagramReddit

For those interested in the reserve's history and ecology, events are sometimes led by naturalists and poets, offering insights into the layered history of the site and inspiring creative responses. Instagram The reserve is also a venue for community events, such as climate action roadshows and local club gatherings, adding a vibrant community feel to the natural beauty. TikTokInstagram+1

Accessibility and Visitor Experience

Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve aims to be welcoming to all visitors. While many of the paths are well-maintained, some areas can become soggy, especially after rainfall, so wearing appropriate footwear is advised. Reddit For those using wheelchairs, the reserve is generally manageable with an outdoor electric wheelchair, though some gates may present minor challenges. Reddit The presence of volunteers helps maintain the area, ensuring a pleasant experience for everyone. Reddit

The reserve is a popular spot for various activities, from walking and running to cycling along the canal. Reddit It's also a favored location for photographers due to its scenic beauty and approachable wildlife. InstagramReddit Families often find it a great place to visit, with opportunities for children to engage with nature, such as pond dipping or observing friendly squirrels. Instagram

Community groups also utilize the reserve for regular meetups, like the 'Stepping out into Nature' group, which provides a social and supportive environment for enjoying the outdoors. Instagram This blend of natural beauty, wildlife, and community engagement makes Cromwell Bottom a cherished local gem. Instagram+1

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